Cleaning tool for suction cleaners



March 31, 1953 H, 5, mm; 2,632,914

CLEANING TOOL FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed June 10, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1953 H. B. WHITE 2,632,914

CLEANING TOOL FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed June 10, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR- Harry B. White BY ATTOHNE Y.

' Patented Mar. 31, 1953 CLEANING TOOL FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Harry B. White, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 10, 1948, Serial No. 32,142

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to a surface cleaning tool for use with suction cleaning apparatus.

'An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning tool having large and small nozzles each of which is selectively operable for surface cleaning. Another object is to provide a cleaning tool having a pair of nozzles selectively operable by movement with respect to a surface engaging portion of the cleaning tool. Another object is to provide for free passage of a high velocity air stream over a nozzle mouth to remove dirt from' the surface being cleaned. A furtherobject is to provide a cleaning tool having valve means operative by movement of the surface cleanin nozzle with respect-to the surface engaging portionof the cleaning tool. Other objects and advantages 'of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, wherein,

'Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool attached to a suction cleaner;

'Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool with a portion broken away to illustrate the means for actuating the valve and to indicate.

the. position of the valve; v

Figure .3 is a sectional view showing the valve inposition to connect the large nozzle with th source of suction; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the valve in position to connect the smaller nozzle with the source of suction and also the high velocity airj passageway.

-The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed comprises a suction cleaning apparatus of the cylinder type having a casing ID in which is disposed an unshown source of suction and a filter, and extending from the casing I is a flexible hose I attached to a rigid wand l2 connected to a cleaning tool !3.

The cleaning tool It includes a nozzle body provided with an elongated rectangular rear nozzle having its mouth 16 defined at its surface contacting perimeter by a nozzle lip l1, and the mouth it communicates with an air passageway l8 which at its upper end connects with a passageway IQ disposed centrally in the upper portion of the body. Arranged at the outer end of the central air passageway I9 is a swivel joint 20 for connection to the wand i2.

Forwardly of the nozzle I5 is a front nozzle 22 having its mouth 23 defined by a perimeter lip 24, and the mouth23 communicates with an air passageway 25 and an opening 26 to the central air passageway I9. The nozzle mouth 23 is disposed ent of t c ean 10 .antlo s O ess ten in cross section than the nozzle mouth It and is arranged at an angle with respect to the large nozzle mouth I6.

At the front of the nozzle body is a housing 30 having a top wall 3| and front wall 32; the latter provided with an opening 33 and a forwardly projecting wall 36. Disposed partially within the housing 33 is a partition 35 having a portion 35- spaced from the housing top wall 3!, a front wall 37 and end walls 3833. An arcuate portion 39 projects. from the front wall 37 through the housing opening 33 and then inwardly of the housing projecting wall 34 and is provided with an opening it arranged above the small nozzle mouth 23. The lip 24 of the small nozzle opening 23 forms part of the partition 35 and the lip may be provided with a serrated edge to definethe small nozzle mouth 23. A wall 42 is secured to the partition 35 and its lower end t3 is spaced upwardly from the front lip of the nozzle mouth 23. The. partition 35, wall 42 and the projecting housing portion 34 cooperate to define a funnel 4| having a top inlet 44 and a lower outlet 45 adjacent to the small nozzle mouth 23 for passage of an air stream from above the nozzle mouth as shown by the arrows in Figure 4.

Disposed within the partition 35 is another wall 46 having a portion 41 resting against the front wall 48 of the air passageway I8. An opening 49 defined by a beveled edge 50 is spaced forwardly of the opening 26 in the air passage wall 48 for reception of a valve 5|. The air passageway 25 is defined by the partition 35 and walls 42 and 45.

A surface engaging shoe 52 surrounds the exterior lips of the nozzle mouths i6 and 23 and comprises an irregularly shaped frame having a front wall 54, rear wall 55 and spaced end walls 5656, the front and rear walls 54 and 55 having respectively surface engaging faces 51 and 58. The nozzle body is pivoted to the surface engaging shoe 53 by a pin 50 extending through each end wall 53 into the end wall ill of the air l passageway I8, whereby the nozzle may be moved with respect to the shoe 53 while the latter remains engaged with the surface being cleaned to selectively bring either of the nozzle mouths I6 or 23 into operative engagement with the surface being cleaned as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

-'I'he valve 5| includes a bottom wall 63, rear wall 64 and side walls 65-455 and is rigidly mounted on a rod 65 rotatably mounted in the end walls 38-38 of the partition 35. Rigidly connected to one end of the rod 66 is an arm 6'! having its opposite end pivotally attached at 69 to a link 10 rotatably mounted at its lower end by a pin 1| carried in a bracket 12 upstanding from the front wall 54 of the surface engaging shoe 53, whereby movement of the nozzle body with respect to the shoe 53 moves the valve to its difierent positions shown in Figures 3 and 4. The periphery 73 of the valve side walls 65-65 are complementary to the beveled edge 50 of the opening 49 in the Wall. 46 and with the rear andbottom walls cooperate to close the opening 49- when the valve is in the position shown in Figure 3 in which position the small nozzle mouth 23 is out off from and the large nozzlemouth l6 is connected to the source of suction. Movement of the valve 5| to the position shown in Figure 3 is. limited by the periphery 13 of the valve-side walls 65-65 abutting the beveled surface 50 of the opening 49 and by the top end [5: ofthe rear wall. abutting a shoulder it on the wall 46. Movement of the valve to the position shown in Figure 4 is limited by the bottom wall 63 seating in a shoulder'll formed: inthe rear wall of the: air passage.- way l8.

In order to indicate when the valve. 5| is in. the position shown in Figure 4' to connect the small nozzle mouth 23 to the source of suction, the link: lil isextended upwardly as at 89 and provided with a laterally extending indicating element: 8|. which projects: into the space. 82. between the housing and the partition 35.. The housing: 30 isprovided with a slot 83 through which the; indicating arm 8| can-beobservedwhen the small; nozzle mouth 23 is connected to the source of suction. When the valve 5| is in the position. shown in Figure 3"- the small nozzle mouth 23 is; disconnected from the source of suction and. the indicating member 3| will be in the position shown in Figure 3 and thus not. visible through thesl'ot83 tothe operator.

In operation, when the cleaning tool is in use. the air passageway I9 is connected. to: the wandi I2 and flexible hose to: the source of suction thecasing |l-. If it is desired to: perform normal surface cleaning the large nozzle mouth. I6, is moved with respect to the shoe 53 while the latter-- is in engagement with the surface being cleaned to theposition indicated in Figure 3. In order to move thelargenozzle mouth I 6 from the-inoperative position in- Figure 4 to the surface cleaning" position in Figure 3 the operator depresses the wand |2 to pivotthenozzlebody clockwise on the pins 60 and relative-to the shoe 53 while the latter is engaged with the surface being cleaned. Upon clockwise rotation of the nozzle body the valve 51 is moved counterclockwise by means of the bearing shoe 53, bracket 12, link- 10, arm ST andvalve rod 65- tothe position shown in Figure 3-. In this position ofthe valve the small nozzle mouth 23 and ai-rpassageway- 25 aredisconnected from and the large nozzle mouth It connected to the source-ofsuction. Alsothe-largenozzle-mouth I6; is supported by the shoe in operative position. with respect tothe surface being cleaned; Thelarge nozzle mouth l5 provides for passageofa relatively large volume and low velocity air stream, to remove nonimbedd'ed dirt from the surface being cleaned. Whilethe valve 5 is in the position shown in Figure 3 the indicator 8| cannot, be seen through the slot 83 and thus theoperator is informed that thevalve 5| and large nozzle mouth 5 are in operative position.

If the dirt, threads or other litter cannot be removed by the large nozzlemouth It then the smaller nozzle mouth 23 is employed. The small nozzle mouth 23 is moved into operative position by lifting the wand- 2-' upwardly with respect to the bearing shoe 53 while the latter remains engaged with the surface being cleaned. Lifting the wand I2 upwardly causes the nozzle body to pivot counterclockwise on the pins 60, and the flanges -90, only one of which is shown, on the housing 30 engage the front wall 54 of the shoe 53 to maintain the front wall 54 in contact with the surface being cleaned. Upon counterclockwise rotation of the nozzle body; the valve 5| is moved .3 clockwise by the bearing shoe 53, bracket 12, link 10, arm 51 and valve rod 66 to the position shown in. Figure- 4@ and. such movement of the valve 5| is performed while the shoe 53 remains in contact with the surface being cleaned. While the valve 5| is being moved to the position shown in Figure 4 the indicator 8| is also shifted from the position shown in. Figure 3 to that in Figure 4 whereby the operator can observe the indicator 8|= through the slot 83 and thus be informed the small nozzle mouth 23 and valve 5| are in proper position. The-indicator is: movedibymeans of the valve shifting; linkage: and. the extension: 80. our-- nected to: the arm 8 While the valve isbeing' moved. to; the;- position indicated in Figure: 4;, the small: nozzle: mouth 23; is. also) shifted; into operative relation the; surfaceibeing. cleaned as shown inzFigure 4-.and1is connected to: the source of suction. In this post.- tionof the small nozzle, mouth. 23 the funnel; 4-3 is connected with the atmosphere: above: the nozzle mouth and to the: source: of suction. by the top. inlet 44 and the loweroutlet 45..

When the. small nozzle; mouth. 23'. is in. this surface engaging, position an air; stream. passes. through the surface being cleaned and: under the. nozzletlip-Zfl into'therair passageways 25 and. I! to. the: source of, suction- The: air stream. passing through. the: small nozzle mouth 23; is of greater velocity than that. which flows through the larger nozzle. mouth [it and. thus; functions to remove: the litter clinging to the surface.. An atmospheric air stream. also enters the funnel. 43: from: the inlet 44 above: the surface: being cleaned and passes.

through. the opening.- 4|]. and then the outlet 45 into the air passageway 25' to the source: of: sun.- tion.v This atmospheric air stream as it: passes beneath the. lower end: 43: of the, barrier; 42;

through the constricted outlet 45. flows at high.

velocity and passes through. the: rug pile exposed in the nozzle mouth 23 to: remove. the clinging litten.

While I have shown and described but: a. modification of my invention, it. is to be: understood that. this modification. is to be: taken. as: illustrative only and not. in a. limiting. sense. I. donot wish to be limited to" the particular structures shown and described, but to include all equivalent variations thereof except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A- surface cleaning tooi comprising a body, means forming a first nozzle in said body, means forming asecond nozzle in said body and having different operating characteristics than said first nozzle, means forming an airconduit for connect ing saidnozzles to a source of suction, valve means for selectively connectingsaid nozzlesto the source of suction, a shoe engaging the surface being cleaned and having an opening into which said nozzles project, means movably mounting said body on said shoe in said opening to permit relative movement therebetweentoselectively move either of said nozzles intoen gegement with the surfaceto be cleaned, and valve actuating means connected withsa-id shoeand valve means and responsive to said relative movement to move said valve means for selectively controlling communication of either of said nozzles with the source of suction.

2. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, means forming :a first surface engaging nozzle in said body, means forming a second surface engaging nozzle in said body and having different operating characteristics than said first nozzle, means forming an air conduit for connecting said nozzles to a source of suction, valve means movably mounted on said body for selectively connecting said nozzles to the source of suction, a shoe engaging the surface being cleaned, means rotatably mounting said body on said shoe to permit relative rotative movement therebetween to selectively move either of said nozzles into operative cleaning relation with the surface, valve actuating means connected with said shoe and valve means and responsive to said relative rotative movement to move said valve means for selectively controllin communication of either of said nozzles with the source of suction, and indicating means connected to said shoe and body and responsive to said relative rotative movement of said shoe and body toindicate when said valve means and one of said nozzles are in proper operating positions.

3. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, means forming a nozzle mouth in said body engaging the surface to be cleaned, means for forming an air conduit for connecting said nozzle mouth to a source of suction for passage of a dirtladen air stream through said nozzle mouth from the surface being cleaned, means defining an air passageway having an inlet for free passages of atmospheric air and an outlet connected to said air conduit, said air passageway directing an atmospheric air stream over the surface to be cleaned, a shoe engaging the surface to be cleaned, means movably mounting said body and thus said nozzle mouth on said shoe for relative movement therebetween, valve means for controlling the connection of said nozzle mouth and air passageway to the source of suction, and valve actuating means connected with said valve means and shoe and responsive to said relative movement of said body and shoe to move said valve means for controlling communication of said nozzle mouth and air passageway with the source of suction.

4. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, means forming a first nozzle mouth in said body, means forming a second nozzle mouth in said body and having different operating characteristics than said first nozzle, means forming an air conduit for connecting said nozzle mouths to a source of suction for passage of dirt-laden air streams through said nozzle months from the surface being cleaned, means defining an air passageway connected to said air conduit through an outlet adjacent one of said nozzle mouths for directing an atmospheric air stream over the surface to be cleaned, valve means for selectively connecting said nozzle mouths and atmospheric air passageway to the source of suction, :a shoe engaging the surface to be cleaned,

means movably supporting said body on said shoe for relative movement therebetween to selectively move either of said nozzle mouths into engagement with the surface being cleaned, and valve actuating means connected with said shoe and valve means and responsive to said relative movement of said body and shoe to move said valve means for controlling communication of said nozzle mouths and atmospheric air passageway with the source of suction.

5. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a nozzle in said body, an air conduit for connecting said nozzle to a source of suction, shoe means engaging the surface to be cleaned, means mounting said body on said shoe means for movement of said nozzle into and out of engagement with the surface, valve means movably mounted on said body for movement to one position to connect said nozzle with said air conduit when said nozzle is in said engagement with the surface, and movable to another position to disconnect said nozzle from said conduit when said nozzle is out of engagement with the surface, and valve actuating means connected to said valve means and shoe means and responsive to said movement of said body relative to said shoe means to move said valve to said one and said another positions and said nozzle into and out of engagement with the surface to be cleaned.

6. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, means forming a first nozzle in said body, means forming a second nozzle in said body and having different operating characteristics than said first nozzle, means forming a conduit for connecting said nozzles to a source of suction, a shoe engaging the surface being cleaned, means movably mounting said body on said shoe for movement of said nozzles into selective engagement with the surface to be cleaned, valve means responsive to relative movement between said body and shoe for selectively connecting said nozzles to the source of suction, and valve position indicating means connected to said shoe and body and responsive to said relative movement of said shoe and body to indicate the position of said valve means in controlling communication of one of said nozzles with the source of suction.

HARRY B. WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,055,771 Matchette Mar. 11, 1913 1,060,191 Kent Apr. 29, 1913 2,002,624 Becker May 28, 1935 2,062,508 Faber Dec. 1, 1936 2,212,942 Karlstrom Aug. 27, 1940 2,274,560 Ott Feb. 24, 1942 2,295,354 Peterson Sept. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 597,246 Germany May 19, 1934 

